► Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial
► A van-lite version of the tough 4×4
► Land Cruiser creds, commercial space
Introducing the perfect vehicle for tradespeople in remote places: the new 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial. Like the Land Rover Discovery van variant, it takes one of the toughest 4x4s on the planet and makes it a little more businessy.
So instead of rear seats, you get a panelled and caged loadbay – perfect for lugging plumbers’ or workmen’s gear around, especially to remote places. Or maybe the kids, if you’ve got particularly unruly children…*
( * Not really… there are no rear seats! )
What makes a Toyota Land Cruiser Utility Commercial a van?
It’s available in both short-wheelbase, three-door (above) and long-wheelbase, five-door (below) derivatives; either will tow up to three tonnes (braked) and carry a payload of up to 756kg. That’s an awful lot of ladders and pipes.
The hardware is the same Land Cruiser rough ’n’ tumble platform we’re familiar with: there’s the usual ladder-frame chassis with drive sent to all four wheels from a 2.8-litre D-4D diesel engine (one of the few diesel applications Toyota’s persisting with, as it gradually deserts derv for hybrids, petrol and electric powertrains).
Should you buy a diesel car in 2018?
All Land Cruiser Utility Commercials come with a six-speed manual transmission and have permanent 4wd, with the proper off-roading hardware. With a gamut of diff locks, Active Traction Control, Vehicle Stability Control and Trailer Sway Control, you should keep going no matter the terrain. Ground clearance of at least 205mm will help, as will a 31deg approach angle and 700mm wading depth.
Key dimensions, payloads
Size and load are important on commercial vehicles, so it’s worth spelling out the dimensions in full:
- Length 4395mm (SWB) and 4840mm (LWB)
- Width 1885mm
- Height 1830mm (SWB) and 1845mm (LWB)
- Cargo area 1574 litres (SWB) and 2216 litres (LWB)
- Payload 593kg (SWB) and 756kg (LWB)
- Towing capacity 3 tonnes (braked)
The full-height metal bulkhead divides the load area from the cab; the tailgate is side-hinged and the rear windows are blanked out in body colour.
When can I buy the Toyota Land Cruiser van?
Sales started on 1 April 2018 and the first right-hand drive UK customer vehicles are due in July 2018.
Prices start at £27,546 for the SWB model and £28,509 for the LWB Land Cruiser Utility Commercial.
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